If you have visited one of the school buildings in Bellefontaine, you have probably noticed a police cruiser parked in a prominent location on the property. That cruiser is far more than a deterrent to keep bad guys from doing something bad. The cruiser is there because a School Resource Officer (SRO) is inside the building.
According to the Ohio School Resource Officers Association, an SRO is “an officer/deputy with sworn authority who is carefully selected, specifically trained in school-based law enforcement, and properly equipped to handle school safety situations.” While the program itself began nationwide in the 1950s, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the United States government began offering grants to departments for community policing.
According to Police Chief Chris Marlow, Bellefontaine is fortunate to have 75+ years of combined law enforcement experience in its SRO program. These officers, High School SRO Doug Walters, Middle School SRO John Godwin, and Intermediate School SRO Isaac Chiles, bring a unique combination of experience and relatability to their buildings that provide a valuable service to students and staff alike.
In addition to their SRO training, Chief Marlow said all three officers are D.A.R.E.-trained. Not only are these officers a law enforcement presence in their school, but they also help students with life issues and with navigating their school years. As important as their presence is, Chief Marolw thinks that the relationships the officers form with the students are the most important part of their job:
Chief Marlow recalled that in the early years of his career with the Bellefontaine Police Department, the school system employed two D.A.R.E. officers. The D.A.R.E. program, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, was discontinued in the mid-2000s primarily due to financial issues.
When Chief Marlow’s predecessor, Chief Standley, assumed command of the department, he, along with current fill-in SRO and first-shift sergeant Andy Kennedy, initiated the GUIDE program to help schools address student behavioral and mental health issues. With that program up and running, Officer Kennedy assumed the responsibilities of the district’s D.A.R.E. officer after receiving the required training.
Chief Marlow said that Officers Chiles and Walters are full-time employees of the Bellefontaine Police Department, and their salaries are split between the school board and the department. SRO Godwin is a retired Logan County Deputy and he works only when school is in session, and his position is paid for by the school board.
According to Chief Marlow, the reach of the SROs extends beyond the classroom:
